There’s a conversation I keep hearing everywhere lately—and I have a feeling you are too. It shows up in advisory board meetings, speaker submissions, and quick check-ins that don’t stay quick. No matter where I go, it seems to come up. Our workforce is changing.

We all know the narrative. Baby Boomers are retiring, Millennials are now the largest segment, and Gen Z is stepping in with new expectations about flexibility, purpose, and how work fits into life.

And then there’s Gen X. Yes—us! The ones in the middle. The ones who went from analog to digital without much fanfare. The ones who aren’t writing think pieces about it (ok well I am right now) —we’re just getting the work done.

What we are all navigating right now is real. For the first time in a long time, multiple generations are working side by side with very different expectations. It shows up in hiring, retention, communication—and even how we define something as simple as “flexibility.” Because that word means something different to everyone. No wonder it feels complicated. But we’ve also been here before. Every generation goes through a shift like this—this one just feels bigger because it’s happening faster and louder than ever. And what I’m hearing from many of you isn’t frustration—it’s effort. A real desire to figure it out and build teams and cultures that actually work.

That’s why this year’s opening keynote feels so timely.

“ZAP THE GENERATIONAL GAP!” with Meagan Johnson tackles this head on—not by leaning into stereotypes, but by helping us understand what actually drives people and how to build stronger connections across generations.

Because at the end of the day, most people want the same things: to feel respected, to do meaningful work, and to be part of something that works well. It just looks a little different depending on where you sit. Maybe that’s where we all come in—especially those of us in the middle. The connectors. The ones who can see both sides and help bridge the gap.

We don’t need to have all the answers. We just need to keep listening, stay open, and keep moving forward. Because this isn’t just a challenge—it’s an opportunity. Looking forward to continuing the conversation in Charlotte.

Be well,
Jenabeth

Jenabeth Ferguson
Vice President, Symposium Director
Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo